Kano — The desire by Kano State government to make its hosting of the forthcoming FIFA World Youth Soccer Championship tagged: "Nigeria '09" a memorable one has seen the state vote the sum of N800 million to realise the objective.

Revealing this while presenting this year's budget tagged, "Budget of Sustainable Economic Growth and Development 11" to the Kano State House of Assembly, Kano state governor, Alhaji Ibrahim Shekarau stated that his administration has allocated the amount for the rehabilitation of the Sani Abacha Stadium, Kofar Mata, Kano which is to be used as venue for the competition.

According to him, the amount budgeted will ensure adequate preparations ahead of the forthcoming FIFA World Youth Championship, just as he assured that his administration will do everything possible to ensure the success of the country at the youth tourney. Meanwhile, chairman of Kano Pillars Management Committee, Alhaji Tukur Muhammad Babangida has sent a passionate appeal to Kano fans to shun all forms of soccer hooliganism capable of not only denting the good image of the state, but the country at large.

Pillars' boss, who spoke in Kano enjoined the supporters to learn from previous sanctions imposed on the club by turning new leaves to help the club post good results in the on-going Premier League and the forthcoming CAF Champions League scheduled for January 31.He further explained that as a representative of the country's football in the African continent, there is the need for Pillars to project the country's image in a positive way, hence the appeal for good conduct.

Said he, "We need our fans to give the club management and the state government all the maximum support towards success and hitch-free games; we have been doing our best to enlighten and educate supporters through media organisations and l am sure our fans will definitely change for the sake of the club and the country at large".

In addition, he emphasised, "We should respect our domestic league by conducting ourselves in good manner", admonishing that, "the game of football is not a do or die affair. We should borrow from the European League as well as from other countries where the home team concedes a defeat without hitch."It is not possible to win matches always, sometimes, your club wins, draws or loses, that is the beauty of the game, we have to take it in good faith," the club chairman noted.